Stalls, Steep Turns, and Slow Flights

Check it Out!

Do stalls, steep turns, slow flight, emergency procedures, soft field landings, short field landings, and a takeoff to go with each, sound like a fun way to spend a couple of days?

Recently, I had the privilege of traveling to our southernmost base in Mexico to conduct flight checks with two of our pilots. At its core, a flight check is an evaluation of a pilot’s skills, knowledge, and adherence to procedures. Every pilot, regardless of his experience level, is assessed at regular intervals. The aim is to ensure each is proficient, current, and equipped to handle the unique challenges of mountain operations.

One of the pilots, Simeon Koranek, is just beginning his time on the mission field. He is currently working through his initial orientation. Our flight together served as a final stage check before he begins flying our aircraft without another staff pilot on board. This is a critical and much anticipated step toward flying regular program flights as a missionary pilot.

The second flight was with a pilot who has been with us for several years. While Nathan White is already an experienced field pilot and a certificated flight instructor, we are hoping that he will eventually add another role here at UIMA: check pilot. A check pilot is authorized to train and check other pilots. So, instead of occupying the normal pilot’s seat, he flew his maneuvers from the right side of the cockpit where the check pilot normally sits. (If you’re keeping track: We had a check pilot in the pilot seat and a pilot in the check pilot seat on a check flight for a future check pilot who was piloting. Check?)

Simeon's first solo flight on the mission field

Written by Michael Busenitz, UIM Aviation Chief Pilot